This New Year, I fully intend on doing some serious reading. Not that I don't read enough as it is, but my reading often takes on a disheveled form.

      Often I read half a book and discard it for another, more "interesting" one. In this way lies folly. So, upon much reflection, I have decided to come up with a reading list, much like the ones you may have received in school.

     These books will be read in order with the following short stories absorbed in between:

• Misery by Anton Checkov
• Araby by James Joyce
• A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka
• The Blind Man by D.H. Lawrence
• Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• That Evening Sun by William Faulkner
• Hills like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
• Where are you going, Where have you been? by Joyce Carol Oates
• The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck
• The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
• The Man Who Could See Radiance by John J. Clayton
• The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
• The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad
• Bright and Morning Star by Richard Wright
• Sonny's Blues by James Baldwin
• The Country Husband by John Cheever
• A Conversation with my Father by Grace Paley

Don't forget to check out my honorable mentions.

Cryptonomicon by Neil Stephenson

Quite honestly, I never would have picked up this book on my own. It's just not in the section of Borders that I peruse on a regular basis.

Eric (Eric D. Dixon, the other Shrubwalker) gave me this book for Christmas and promised that I would love it. (Now, this is certainly almost always the case with everything Eric introduces me to, with the notable exception of John Zorn. Even though Eric insists that he (Zorn) is a musical genius, I can't be so sure as his music sounds much like an urban nightmare. But, perhaps that is precisely what it is intended to sound like).

"Cryptonomicon" is a novel about, well, cryptology and cryptanalysis. But, it's not nearly as dry as all that. Stephenson wraps these subjects in story line ranging from WWII to present day. As I type this (Jan 01, 2000), I'm nearly 450 pages into it, and what a ride its been!

It has been said that Stephenson's writing style is Pynchonesqe. (A side note: Thomas Pynchon is another author introduced to me by Eric). Having read one Pynchon book (The Crying of Lot 49), and having made several aborted attempts at two others (Gravity's Rainbow, Mason & Dixon), I can safely say that there is a shadow of Pynchon in "Cryptonomicon". This is the safest observation about the book that I can make at this time. I shall endeavor to review it once I have completed it. So far, it is a wonderful book to be sure. Many thanks Eric!

Battle Cry of Freedom by James McPherson

I'm a Civil War nut. I love reading about it, hearing about it and watching shows about it. In fact, the astute observer will notice that every other book on this list has something to do with the Civil War. Now, I realize that to many people, the very thought of curling up with a book about the Civil War numbs their minds beyond even semiconsciousness. But, for me, it is pure enjoyment.

Shelby Foote once said that to understand America, you must understand the Civil War. The Revolutionary War made us, but the Civil War defined who we are, as a people.

"The Battle Cry of Freedom" does not just look at the specific battles of the Civil War, but takes great pains in explaining why the Civil War happened in the first place. I am really looking forward to reading this book as James McPherson's fame as an author and historian is well known.

 

Forge of the Elders by L. Neil Smith

L. Neil Smith is one of my favorite libertarian authors. I was first introduced to his work while I was stationed in Germany. The book "PALLAS" was sent to me on my 25th birthday by guess who...Eric. Being the first science fiction book I really ever held in my hands, I was a bit skeptical. That soon faded away however, and two days later, I was the better for it.

From what I can gather, "Forge of the Elders" is about an asteroid full of capitalist aliens being visited upon by Marxist astronauts. Ho ho, this should be great!

I might add that "Forge of the Elders" was Free Market.Net's freedom book of the year for 2000.

 

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane's famous novel about the Civil War. Would you believe that I haven't read it yet? I think most people read this one in High School at least. Hmmm, must be a late bloomer.

Just to make some sort of amends, I've read one short story by Stephen Crane. "The Open Boat".

The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner

I really don't know much about this novel. I was going to pick up "As I lay Dying", but it was recommended that I read this one first. If anyone has read this, or wants to give me any insights into Faulkner, send me some email...zaogao@bigfoot.com
 

The Beleaguered City by Shelby Foote

Shelby Foote is simply amazing. Anyone who has watched the Civil War series by Ken Burns that came out in 1990, knows what I mean. He is an amazing orator as well as author.

The Beleaguered City is an excerpt out of Foote's monumental, three part "A Civil War, a Narrative". This book mainly concerns itself with the Vicksburg Campaign, a subject that many historians believe has not been paid its due.

If Shelby does as good a job with this book as he did with "Stars in their Courses, The Gettysburg Campaign", I will not be disappointed.
 

The Code Book : The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh

I love this stuff, always have. "The Code Book" takes a look at codes and how they have affected history since, well the beginning of human civilization at least. This will be a great follow-up to "Cryptonomicon".
 

Shiloh by Shelby Foote

My parents tried to get me to read this book when I was about 12 years old. Needless to say, I wasn't in my Civil War phase at that time. Now, after knowing who Shelby Foote is, I can't wait to get to it.

This book is actually a novel about the battle of Shiloh which took place in April 1862. Although Foote has written many books, it was actually the first book Foote wrote about the Civil War. If you are interested, you can read a transcript of Shelby Foote from his appearance on Book TV in 1994.
 

Hunting Trips of a Ranchman & The Wilderness Hunter by Theodore Roosevelt

I first read this book when I was about 12. My grandfather had an original, 1st edition copy, which got filtered down to my parents. I wish I knew where that book was now. I loved it so much, I'm going to read it again.
 

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Another book I should have read long ago. This book is very fundamental in the scheme of shaping the Civil War. When Abraham Lincoln first met Harriet Beecher Stowe he said "So you are the little woman who started this great war". That about sums it up. I simply wouldn't feel complete in my pursuit of Civil War knowledge if I didn't read this book.
 

Under the Red Flag by Ha Jin

As a Chinese Linguist, I am fascinated with Chinese history and culture. Of particular interest to me is the Cultural Revolution and its consequences.

"Under the Red Flag" is a collection of short stories about that tragic period in time. I expect this to be a heavy read. As with most modern Chinese novels or movies, you walk away feeling reflective and amazed.

 

ShopGirl by Steve Martin

Steve Martin has long been my favorite comedic actor. "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" was hilarious. And who could forget the cerebrally funny "L.A. Story"?

Lately, however, Martin has been lending himself to some more serious works. I first noticed this when I saw "The Spanish Prisoner". Wow...Steve Martin doing serious stuff...I like it!

Martin has also been writing quite a bit lately as well. "Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Other Plays" came out in 1996, and although I have not read them, I hear they are pretty darn good. That was followed by "Pure Drivel" in 1998. Yet another book I have not read.

I plan on remedying that by reading Martin's latest, "ShopGirl". I can best describe it by simply giving you the dust cover:

Mirabelle works in the glove department of Neiman's, "selling things that nobody buys any more." Spending her days waiting for customers to appear, Mirabelle "looks like a puppy standing on its hind legs, and the two brown dots of her eyes, set in the china plate of her face, make her seem very cute and noticeable." Lonely and vulnerable, she passes her evenings taking prescription drugs and drawing "dead things," while pursuing an on-off relationship with the hopeless Jeremy, who possesses "a slouch so extreme that he appears to have left his skeleton at home."

Then Mr. Ray Porter steps into Mirabelle's life. He is much older, rich, successful, divorced, and selfish, desiring her "without obligation." Complicating the picture is Mirabelle's voracious rival, her fellow Neiman's employee Lisa, who uses sex "for attracting and discarding men."

 

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

This 1998 National Book Award novel is about a Confederate soldier who deserts the war and walks home to North Carolina. It tells the Odyssey like tale of his adventures.

I have heard nothing but good things about this book.
 

On Writing by Stephen King

I used to really be into Stephen King. At one point (early 1990's I believe), I had read nearly every one of his books and short stories.

I remember distinctly having a copy of "IT" on my desk in my 11th grade English Class. My English teacher, having spied the book, pointed out to me and God that Stephen King is not Literature and perhaps I should spend my time reading something more to my benefit. Man, that really rankled me. I think Stephen King is a damn fine writer, and I only wish I would have kept up with him.

"On Writing" is King's take on how to write. I can't wait to get to this book because when I was younger, I always wanted to write like him. In fact, the very first story I ever wrote "Sharks in the Bathtub" was heavily influenced by King. I'm sure he'd be proud to know that.

 

Gone for Soldiers by Jeff M. Shaara

"Gone for Soldiers" is a novel about the Mexican War in the 1840's. In this book, Shaara attempts to continue what he started with "God's and Generals" and "The Last Full Measure", both Civil War books.

It is interesting to note that Jeff Shaara is the son of Michael Shaara, author of "The Killer Angels". That book was adapted into the movie "Gettysburg" in 1993. It is a fine book, and a great movie. I handily recommend both of them.

 

Isle Witch (Voyage of the Jerle Shannara, Bk. 1) by Terry Brooks

I have read nearly all the Shannara books by Terry Brooks, and I loved them each one of them. Although it's been over 10 years since I've read his books, I am confidant this will be a good one.